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Paul McCartney himself has penned a letter to Russian authorities supporting Pussy Riot. The letter comes a day after a member was not allowed to attend he own parole hearing, who afterward started a hunger strike. McCartney's handwritten letter asked Russian officials to consider parole for members Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova.

"My personal belief is that further incarceration for Maria will be harmful for her and the situation as a whole, which, of course, is being watched by people all over the world," McCartney wrote. He also says: "In the great tradition of fair-mindedness which the Russian people (many of whom are my friends) are famous for, I believe that you granting this request would send a very positive message to all the people who have followed this case."

McCartney tried appealing to officials on a humanitarian level: "I have had a long relationship with the Russian people, and, with this in mind, I am making the following request in a spirit of friendship for my many Russian acquaintances who, like me, believe in treating people – all people, with compassion and kindness."

Excerpts of the note appear on his website. In the past, the former Beatles member has openly supported members of Pussy Riot. He is on a long list of celebs that have backed the band, including Madonna who advocated for the group at a show in Moscow this past August.